Aldon Smith May Start Out As Nickel Rush Defensive End?

Dan Pompei of the National Football Post writes that the plan is for Aldon Smith to get on the field quickly for the 49ers, but where remains a little uncertain. The team ultimately plans on playing the first round pick all over the field, at right and left outside linebacker, and as a defensive end on passing downs.

They believe he has the versatility to help the defense a lot of ways, but given the fact that the 49ers haven’t been able to work with Smith all offseason, the chances of him being able to integrate everything he needs to know to play everywhere before the start of the season aren’t good.

So what could happen is Smith will start out as a nickel rush end and then maybe he graduates to playing linebacker on one side on first and second down. The more comfortable he gets, the more he’ll do.